LIAM Skinner's late arrival cost him the first frame of his William Nelson Shield semi-final against Liam Clark.

Clark received a first frame walkover in their clash at at the Blytheholme Club in Stockton.

And he went on to win 3-0 in the handicapped snooker event for under-25s organised by the Coors-sponsored Cleveland Billiards and Snooker League.

The other semi took place at Saltburn Cons between Keith Kinnersley (Hartlepool) and Michael Holding (Redcar Lakes).

Holding received 35 start but forfeited the first because he was also late. He took the next frame 77-53 to level the match and took frame three on a black ball fight (67-64).

Kinnersley finally found his potting arm in the next with mini breaks of 29, 26 and 24 to win 103-53, and got first chance in the decider, with a superb break of 48 to win 93-55 and take the match 3-2.